Ahem….

First off, the Atlanta area had a snow day. Now, understand, I grew up in Michigan where they have equipment to handle massive snowfall before you even wake up. To my knowledge, not a single snow day happened while I was in high school. Four freaking years of big snow and zero school cancellations. Here in Atlanta, they call a snow day because it’s PROBABLY going to snow the next day.

P-R-O-B-A-B-L-Y.

The reason I moved south years ago was because I got frozen out of my car one morning. It’s actually a pretty good, albeit, long story, but suffice to say, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. So, now, I live in the south…and it snows.

It was beautiful though. It looked like a beer commercial out the back porch. Great big huge fluffy snow blanketed everything. My kids had a whale of a day. They got to sleep in, bought sleds, and played the day away outside. My son even took a page out of Calvin and Hobbes. Let me tell you, it’s a little unnerving to pull into the drive way and have a snowman screaming at you. He ran out of snow and time before he got to do the whole scene he wanted, but it was still pretty hilarious.

I didn’t get to enjoy the snow day with the kids though. I had to go to training. Two days of training on how to help care for Anissa. It’s a big step, but nothing we can’t handle. I learned how to properly transfer her, and to help her get through the day. How to help her get dressed in the morning, and how to get her in bed in the evening, and everything in between.

Why?

Well, that right side still hasn’t kicked in enough yet. I feel it at times. She can activate her shoulder and clamp her arm down in certain situations. I’ve also seen and felt her activate her hamstring and bend her leg. Just not enough to be useful, yet. So, temporarily, she’s considered a hemiplegic. Understand, when she got to the rehab center, she could only sit up for 7 seconds before falling over. Now, she can sit up for quite a while, as the muscles around her trunk are waking up. Her spirits are excellent. The staff at the rehab center has been absolutely amazing in listening to her and treating her with love and care.

It’s pretty exciting as parts of her body are waking back up.

It’s just very very slow.

That’s ok, because, as one of my buddies in college would always say, “Pete mon, slow and steady wins da race.”

Part of the training included a lunch date. We got to go over to a restaurant and actually be a couple for a little bit. This incorporated a lot of the things I learned in training: how to transfer from her chair to the car, how to make sure she’s got everything she needs, etc. It was nice, but short…and chaperoned. The chaperone was there just in case we had issues we couldn’t handle. Luckily we didn’t.

Lastly, the training included an overnight stay for me. We got to stay in the equivalent of a little efficiency apartment for a night, sans nursing staff. That was nice. It was Valentine’s Day eve….We wound up ordering pizza and had the kids up. We had way too much fun for being in the hospital. There was one point that the kids were getting on my nerves, so I barked a little too loudly at them. Anissa, rightfully so, corrected me on being too harsh, which cracked me up. I couldn’t stop smiling. That was just another reminder on why I know we’re going to make this work. With all she’s gone through, she’s still a better parent than I am. After a little bit, my mom took the kids home and it was just Anissa and I.

We talked some.

We laughed some.

We cried some.

At one point, we were sitting on the couch, and I put my head in her lap. She rubbed my head and I closed my eyes. For about 30 seconds, it was November 16th, before any of this happened. We were a couple again, and all the pain and frustration of the past 92 some odd days was washed away.

The next morning, I woke up before her and just lay next to her until she woke up. I could almost feel her giddiness at not being in a hospital bed. She reached over and held my hand and squeezed it so hard. It was absolutely awesome.

You may have noticed a slight pattern here, called training.

Why?

Well, funny story actually…

After 92 days apart, WE’RE GOING HOME!

February 18th, today, I get the only thing I wanted: my family back.

It’s an early birthday present to me.

Things won’t be the same as it was before, I know that. But, at least we’ll be able to face the challenges together, and lean on each other after a rough day.

Speaking of challenges, the next step facility is an outpatient facility, which means that I’ll have to drive her in every day. My insurance allows for 40 days of outpatient therapy, and this program she starts on Monday is her best shot at getting back more. The only problem with it is that the co-pay on it is $100 per day. You guys have been so awesome sending in things (whomever sent in the anonymous jokes: loved them!), I truly hate to ask for the hat to be passed again, but I’m in a bind. If 400 people could send in $10 each, that would really help us out now.

Ok, that’s my best Sally Struthers impersonation.

Now for the other request.

Anyone remember the internet storm that happened when she first had the strokes?

I’d love to see an even bigger one.

Help me stand on top of the world, beat my chest, and yell in victory!

Like the watch fires in that second Lord of the Rings movie, let it go out that Anissa is going home and I’m getting my family back. This is probably about mile 5 on that marathon, but it’s a milestone people! A HUGE milestone! And we’re just hitting our stride in this.

I’ll post on Anissa’s facebook and twitter when we leave the hospital. Just please, pass the word from rooftop to rooftop.

295 Comments on “Ahem….”

We don’t know each other, but when your wife had her stroke, a friend posted a link to this blog. I have visited ever since to check in on your beautiful family. I bought my Christmas presents for family from sites that made donations to Anissa. Today I tried to put a little bit of cash in the cyberhat for therapy, and PayPal and I had fits with each other — it was like trying to talk to the DMV. Or like doing donuts, round and round in circles maybe in the DMV parking lot. Is there an address where I could send a check?
I send you guys a big hug from a complete stranger who thinks you are all pretty amazing.

I do not know Anissa…we have never spoken, tweeted…emailed or anything. What I do know is she deserves the best chance at a full recovery!! My heart goes out to you and your family! I wish you all the best….
I will spread the word and I’ve given what I can at the moment!!
Best Wishes!!

I am so glad to hear that she is coming home. That is fantastic news!!! What a fighter ….. and you / your family are such a great support system for her. Thank you for the updates … we understand the spacing. You do have your hands full!!! I admire you for asking for help … that must have taken a great deal of courage!!! I am happy to help and wish that I lived near you so I could help when she comes home …..SAM

Wow! Anissa and you have been on my mind a lot the last few days – I can’t exactly pin down the reason, but you have. I’m very happy and “praiseful” to hear this news!! Somehow I missed that you guys are in the same city as I am. At any rate, still being fairly new in town when this all happened, do you have a support system there that can organize some sort of fundraiser? Maybe around an activity Anissa likes/liked to do/did/WILL DO again (!)? Maybe even the PTSA at the kids’ school?
I will do my part in spreading the word!

This is such FANTASTIC news. I’ve been reading your heartbreaking and beautiful updates, Peter, and this one is the best yet, of course. You can include me in your list of 400 donors… it was a pleasure and an honour to send you some help.
Cheers,
Trish
Canberra, Australia

[…] us and is recovering from multiple strokes and after many months is finally coming home (yay!) but she’s currently hemiplegic and her copay for outpatient therapy is $100 a day for the next 40 …. She’s a mom with small children and they need help. That’s why I’m asking […]

[…] on February 22nd, 2010 So I may have all my own shit happening, but then, who doesn’t? Just read the latest update on Anissa. She still needs help. If you can afford anything, even a dollar, please take a moment to help […]

Congrats on the progress. My aunt had a stroke a bunch of years ago and they told us she’d never get better. On New Year’s Eve she was at my brother’s wedding, dancing and partying with everyone else. She does walk with a cane when she’s going to be walking far, but otherwise you would never know anything happened. She was determined, just like Anissa. Good luck with the next step.

Just awesome news! So glad that you guys are all back together where you belong. Who’s more excited – the kids or Mum and Dad?!
Anissa, you must have started therapy today. I just know you’re gonna kick ass. You’re gonna be awesome. I donated half a day’s co-pay a bit earlier. I was really pleased to help out and will be happy to do it again later. Just wish the exchange rate was what it used to be to get a few more dollars for my pounds! Oh well, can’t win everything!!
Sending love as always. Did I mention how happy I am for all of you?!!

As for blogging, do it when you can. You have a lot of things, but it seems extremely encouraging that Anissa is starting to do better. It is tough and can be frustrating, but never give up. Prayers to you and your family.

By the way, I work as a virtual assistant of The Healthy Moms ( http://www.thehealthymoms.net ), the site is fairly new and I thought I would drop by some mom related sites to spread the word.

I’m so happy to read this! I found your blog through The Spohrs Are Multiplying and it seems like you’ve had much more than your fair share of ucky times. I look forward to reading about all the happy times I know are inevitably coming your way! 🙂